CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Pulling a patient during a transfer is the recommended method because it aligns with proper body mechanics aimed at reducing back strain. When you pull rather than push, you can maintain a more upright posture, which helps to preserve the natural curvature of your spine. This positioning minimizes the risk of injury by allowing you to engage your larger thigh muscles, which are more effective for the task than the smaller muscles in your back.

Using a pulling technique facilitates better control of the patient's movement and allows you to transfer the weight of the patient more safely towards your body. This transfer of weight reduces the leverage against your back and lowers the chances of straining or injuring yourself during the movement.

Other techniques, such as bending at the waist and pulling or holding the patient away from your body and lifting, can place significant stress on your back. Lifting the patient while holding them away from your body requires more force and can lead to biomechanical disadvantage, resulting in increased risk of back injury. Similarly, pushing a patient can lead to instability and requires more forceful exertion, which is not advisable for safety.